Lipolysis and sensory characteristics of Cheddar cheeses ripened using different temperature-time treatments

Commercial Cheddar cheeses were ripened under each of 7 temperature-time treatments ranging in temperature from 4 to 12°C for a total of 270 d. The levels of total and individual free fatty acids (FFA), as measured by gas chromatography, increased with increasing ripening temperature and progressive ripening time for all 7 cheeses. Increasing ripening temperature by 4°C, from 8 to 12°C, resulted in a greater relative increase in the accumulation of FFA than a ripening temperature increase of the same magnitude from 4 to 8°C. While increasing ripening temperature and time resulted in increases in the levels of short- (C_4:0-C_8:0), medium- (C _10:0-C_14:0) and long- (C_16:0-C_18:3) chain FFA, the greatest relative increases in FFA levels were found for those in the short-chain FFA class. The results also suggested that the use of higher temperatures during the early stages of ripening ( 1 to 60 d) was most effective at accelerating lipolysis. Descriptive analysis was used for assessment of the sensory properties of the cheeses during ripening. Cheddar cheese ripened at high temperature (12°C) developed flavour and aroma profiles to an intensity characteristic of typical mature Cheddar cheese in a relatively short time (120 d). Conversely, irrespective of ripening time, Cheddar cheese ripened at low temperature (4°C) did not attain the flavour and aroma characteristics typical of mature Cheddar cheese.